Functionalism Flashcards
What do functionalists argue about the family?
Family is both beneficial and necessary for society to run and personal development of individuals.
What did Murdock study and find?
250 societies
Ranging from hunter gatherers to industrial
Found that family is universal
What does Murdock argue the 4 essential functions of the family?
Satisfaction of sex drive
Reproduction of next generation
Socialisation of the young
Economic needs
Only nuclear families can carry out these functions
What are criticisms of Murdocks view?
Other institutions or family types could do the same
Doesn’t account for family diversity
Rose tinted view, doesn’t consider conflict
Feminists argue that it is very patriarchal and one minded
What does Parsons argue?
Best fit theory
Family structure changes to suit the needs of society
What is the pre industrial family according to Parsons?
Extended family
Unit of production
Ascribed status
What is post industrial family according to Parsons?
Isolated nuclear family
Unit of consumption
Geographical mobile
What is the geographically mobile workforce?
Industrialisation means considerably more job opportunities were available for families.
Parsons - Two generational nuclear family is the best family type to fulfil this
What is the socially mobile workforce?
Status achieved by own effort and ability, not your ascribed status
Due to advent of science and technology that requires skilled labourers.
What does Parsons argue about the loss of functions of the family?
Pre industrial family was multi functional
. self sufficient
. Provided its own education and healthcare
Industrialisation has lead to
. ceases to be unit of production
. education and health are outsourced
How does primary socialisation cause an internalising culture?
Gender role socialisation
Expressive role
Instrumental role
What is the stabilisation of adult personalities?
The family provides emotional support and a space to unwind after work
Preventing dysfunction.
What is the warm bath theory?
The family acts as a soothing environment for men to relax after work, maintained by the woman.
What do Young and Willmmott argue?
The preindustrial family was nuclear not extended.
What does Hareven argue?
Extended family not the nuclear as the best equipped to meet the needs of industrial society.
What are criticisms of the functionalist theory on family?
Disneyfied
Ignores family diversity
Ignores class and cultural diversity
Sexist - ignores diversity roles
